Total correction of tetralogy of Fallot in adolescents and adults.

From 1976 to 1988, 23 adolescent and adult patients underwent total correction of tetralogy of Fallot. There were 13 males and 10 females, ranging in age from 16 to 47 years (mean 24.3 +/- 8.6 years). Eight patients were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class II, 14 patients in class III, and one patient in class IV. Sixteen patients (69.6%) had undergone previous palliative operation. All shunts were patent at the time of repair. In 9 patients bovine pericardial monocusp patches were used for reconstruction of the right-ventricular outflow tract. Intraoperatively, the right-ventricular to left-ventricular systolic pressure ratio after repair ranged from 0.29 to 0.80 (mean 0.49 +/- 0.13). There were 2 early deaths (8.7%). Eight of 23 patients (34.8%) exhibited postoperative low cardiac output syndrome. One late death occurred: a 22-year-old male patient died of Staphylococcus sepsis 8 months postoperatively. All surviving patients were followed from 3 to 15 years (mean 8.3 +/- 2.7 years). No patient required reoperation in the follow-up period. The actuarial survival estimate for all 23 patients was 87% at the end of 15 years. At follow-up 17 patients were in NYHA class I, two were in class II, and one was judged to be in class III. We believe advanced age is no contraindication to surgery in tetralogy of Fallot. Adolescents and adults remain in need of total correction which can be performed with acceptable risk and long-term symptomatic improvement.